Ohio Barn Owls doing better, still threatened

Jul. 21, 2014

Barn owls are on the rise in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. / Getty Images

Written by

Dick Martin

CentralOhio.com

Barn owls are doing better in Ohio. After peaking in the 1930’s, only 20 of their nests could be found by the late 80’s.

But the Division of Wildlife is bringing them back by installing 400 barn owl nest boxes since 1989, and two years ago the DOW counted 100 nests.

Now with a Citizen Science Project the Division is encouraging the public to report barn owl sightings throughout the breeding season. While their numbers are going up, barn owls are still a threatened species in Ohio and are considered threatened or endangered in most midwestern states.

Barn owls are useful birds feeding almost exclusively on rodents like rats and mice that farmers would just as soon be rid of. To keep close track of the birds, citizens who know of a barn owl nest are being asked to contact the Division at 1-800-WILDLIFE.

• Anglers interested in learning the art of fly fishing and practicing their skills on a half-mile section of Cold Creek at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County are encouraged to enter a lottery for a beginning fly fishing clinic.

There are 125 slots available for the popular program, and sessions will be held on Fridays from Sept. 5 through Oct. 10, with the exception of Sept. 26 . Deadline for submitting a lottery entry is Aug. 22.

In addition to fly fishing instruction, attendees will be able to test their newly acquired skills by fishing for the abundant rainbow trout found in Cold Creek. To apply, submit a postcard listing name, address, and phone number. Each applicant may bring one guest, but the guest's name must be listed on the postcard.

• Ohio Lieutenant Governor Mary Taylor recently announced that nearly $5 million in capital improvements are planned for Mohican State Park in Loudonville.

Those improvements include a new nature center, renovating of 25 cottages, building a new shower house, renovating the campground pool, renovating the restrooms, and putting in additional full hookups. To assist in identifying key projects, campers will find a new website to allow them to submit their ideas for improvements to the Oho State Parks system.

By visiting parks.ohiodnr.gov/improvements people can fill out a survey to suggest improvements to their favorite state park.

• Recently, there have been some well publicized shark attacks on people, and no information at all about people attacks on sharks. But in many areas shark populations are plummeting, often due to overfishing them in search of shark fins for soup.

Recently, four key populations of scalloped hammerhead sharks were listed under the Endangered Species Act by the National Marine Fisheries Service. This type of hammerhead is a highly imperiled species and is considered globally endangered. In addition to being killed for their fins, many sharks die as by-catches in fisheries targeting other species.

• Hunters interested in hunting Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area on the opening day of teal season are encouraged to enter a lottery by Aug. 8. Both adults and youth can apply for the adult morning hunts, but only youth 17 and younger can apply for the youth afternoon hunts. Successful applicants may bring up to two guests and hunt both teal and Canada geese.

To apply, submit a 4 x 8 postcard listing their name, address, Customer ID number and phone number. Send them to the Division of Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Postcards need to be labeled at the top for either adult teal or youth teal hunt.

For more information on other hunts (Magee Marsh, East Sandusky Bay Metro Park, etc.) call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.gov.

Dick Martin is a retired Shelby biology teacher and author who has written an outdoor column for more than 20 years. He can be reached at richmart@neo.rr.com.